Thank you, Kathi Goertzen

Today, very sad news in Seattle. KOMO News has reported that their longtime anchor Kathi Goertzen died at age 54. She fought a long battle with non-cancerous brain tumors.

We’ll turn it over to KOMO for their announcement. The website is worth visiting, for some touching remembrances of Kathi, and a tribute to her long and amazing career in Seattle.

Our Media Monday is dedicated to her.

Here’s the release from KOMO:

Seattle, WA; August 13, 2012 – It is with great sadness we report that longtime KOMO TV anchor/reporter Kathi Goertzen passed away today. She was surrounded by her family. Goertzen fought an ongoing battle against non-cancerous brain tumors since 1998.

Kathi was a Seattle native with deep ties to our community.

Sr. Vice President and General Manager of Fisher Broadcasting Seattle Jim Clayton reflected, “In the 14 years since her courageous battle began, she always showed compassion for her viewers and colleagues, saying things like, ‘I hate to put you through this again but…’ Viewers’ support helped her through her ordeals.”

Each time she faced round after round of surgery and radiation, she would unselfishly think about others. Vice President of News Holly Gauntt said the support from everyone in the community meant the world to Kathi. “Please know that your love enveloped her. It strengthened and encouraged her. You helped Kathi fight a valiant fight, please know that it mattered deeply to her that you were there.”

Goertzen joined KOMO TV in 1979 when she served as an intern from Washington State University. Upon her graduation in 1980, she became a full-time employee. In her 33 years with the station, she won numerous awards and citations for her journalistic excellence and integrity.

She is survived by her husband Rick Jewett, daughters Alexa and Andrea, and her parents. She was 54 years old.